The Criss Cross King Crunchers delivered a championship-caliber performance, stunning the Savouge Spin Doctors with a gritty straight-set victory few expected but them.
The multi-titled King Crunchers carved out a 25-23, 29-27, 25-17 triumph – a result that belied the intense back-and-forth battle but ultimately showcased the poise, experience, and championship mindset that have long defined Criss Cross.
The victory completed a five-game sweep of the opening round for the King Crunchers and handed the Spin Doctors their first loss of the campaign – a reminder that when experience meets opportunity, Criss Cross still knows exactly how to seize it.
Playmaker Adrian Villados stepped out of the shadow of Criss Cross’ vaunted strikers, masterfully orchestrating the offense with 19 excellent sets while chipping in three points – an attack, a block, and an ace – to earn Best Player of the Game honors.
“Savouge talaga is ayun, kahit naman kami nalalakasan sa kanila. Mas mataas din ‘yung pressure ‘pag kalaban sila, pero sabi nga ni Coach Tai (Bundit), 'Laro lang, happy lang,'” said VIllados.
“Siguro mas naging maganda ‘yung performance namin, pero talagang nahirapan kami. Kita naman sa game na dikit lang, hindi sila nakakauna, ‘di rin kami nakakauna,” he added.
Newcomer Alche Gupiteo led the King Crunchers with 14 points built on 12 attacks, a block, and an ace, continuing to blend well with the team’s veteran core. Four-time MVP Jude Garcia added 13 points, converting 12 of his 26 attack attempts in the one-hour, 26-minute battle.
Noel Kampton, who saw action in the first two sets, and Lloyd Josafat chipped in eight points apiece to bolster the scoring, while John Pepito anchored the floor with 17 excellent receptions.
Criss Cross’ near-flawless showing also proved decisive, committing just 14 errors throughout the match while capitalizing on Savouge’s 23 miscues to keep the momentum firmly on their side in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
The King Crunchers will seek to keep their unblemished slate when they take on the Alpha Insurance Protectors at the start of the second round elims on Wednesday, 5 p.m. at the same San Juan venue.
Meanwhile, the Spin Doctors absorbed their first loss after a dominant four-game winning streak, slipping to second place in the conference backed by Alpha Insurance, Arena Plus, Black Mamba, and Premier EMS.
Louie Ramirez led Savouge with 16 points on 13 attacks and three blocks, while Shawie Caritativo finished with a double-double of 12 points and 15 excellent receptions.
JP Bugaoan added nine markers, but Mark Calado and Giles Torres were held to just five points.
Savouge will have the chance to redeem itself as the Spin Doctors and the King Crunchers tangle in a rematch on Friday at 5 p.m.
Against a Spin Doctors squad that entered the clash just as unbeaten and brimming with confidence, the King Crunchers leaned on their veteran composure and a quiet but unmistakable belief that they could outlast their rivals when the pressure peaked.
That belief was most evident in the second set.
Trailing 16-21 and seemingly on the ropes, Criss Cross mounted a furious rally, capitalizing on a series of Savouge service miscues and unforced errors that suddenly swung momentum. What had been firm control for the Spin Doctors unraveled at the worst possible moment, allowing the King Crunchers to claw back, force a tense extension, and eventually escape with a steal that proved to be the match’s turning point.
With a two-set cushion, the King Crunchers entered the third frame with renewed confidence, dictating the pace early to build a 16-12 advantage. Stung by their rivals’ surge, the Spin Doctors failed to mount any serious challenge in the closing stretch.
That enabled Criss Cross to seize full control, with Nico Almendras finally slamming the door shut, finishing the match with a thunderous kill on his second attempt.
While the scoreline suggested dominance, the contest itself was anything but one-sided. Instead, it was a showcase of how composure, discipline, and a championship mindset can tip the balance in matches between evenly matched teams.
Both squads entered the marquee clash unbeaten in four games after sweeping their respective first-round assignments, making the encounter widely viewed as a preview of a potential championship showdown.
But when the pressure mounted, it was Criss Cross which looked every bit the seasoned powerhouse – exploiting Savouge’s errors, especially from the service line in the second set, and refusing to surrender even a single frame.
